Summary =A sympathetic extension and redecoration to St Catherine's Church, East Tilbury to provide a new kitchen area and toilet facilities. Works also included a new heating installation to both the extension and church, along with a full renovation of flooring, walls and roof to the main church.

Value = £330,000

Location = East Tilbury, Essex

Solution = St Catherine's Church, East Tilbury is an important survival from the 12th century. The site is associated with the first church established by St Cedd.

Works involved an extension and redecoration to St Catherine's Church, East Tilbury. The parishioners were consulted to set out requirements for the building which was to provide some basic amenities such as a kitchen and toilet facilities.

Designed to allow focus to remain on the existing Church building; the extension is a simple free-standing structure with no interference on the existing structure. The external walls are clad in weathered horizontal oak boarding, reminiscent of timber porches commonly found in Essex where stone is a scarce material. The roof is configured to allow the use of pan-tiles without encroaching on existing openings. The foundations are a shallow raft supported on piles, to minimise interference with burials and underlying archaeology.

When the opening to the west door was unblocked to provide access to the new extension, it revealed decayed and missing stonework. This was reinstated and repaired with great attention to detail.

Internally, a new heating system was installed within the extension and church and the floors, walls and roof to main church were all renovated.

The new kitchen and toilet facility, together with a new heating system makes the church more usable as a place of worship.

Works were completed January 2016. The new facilities have enabled the Church to open for teas and homemade cakes from Easter to October on the afternoons of the last Sunday in the month and on Bank holiday Mondays.

This project was recently Highly Commended at the Diocese of Chelmsford, Design Awards 2017 for Development and Restoration.

Challenge = The client wished to provide a new heritage room linked to the existing church. The heritage room was to be built of modern construction, but with a nod to the existing church to ensure the aesthetic is in keeping.

Solution = Use reclaimed Suffolk white bricks to form a low plinth detail to match the church. Formed a new internal stone archway and door through to church, provision of accessible WC and kitchenette and installation of heating and lighting to annexe room. Provided an external accessible ramp with handrail to heritage room entrance.

"The monthly meetings between us, Bakers and our Contract Administrators (Daniel Connal Partnership) worked well and we were delighted with the result. We have no hesitation in recommending Bakers to others and look forward to being able to use your services again.” Michael Pudney

This project was recently Commended at the Diocese of Chelmsford, Design Awards 2017

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Based at our head office in Danbury, Essex since 1878, we operate as a principal contractor, working throughout London, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire, Kent and Hertfordshire. We are a highly respected multi-disciplinary professional organisation that prides itself on attention to detail.